Stewart, Maria.Productions

African rights and liberty is a subject that ought to fire the breast of every free man of color in
these United States, and excite in his bosom a lively, deep, decided and heart-felt interest. When I
cast my eyes on the long list of illustrious names that are enrolled on the bright annals of fame
among the whites, I turn my eyes within, and ask my thoughts, "Where are the names of
our
illustrious ones?" It must certainly have been for the want of energy on the part of the free
people of color, that they have been long willing to bear the yoke of oppression. It must have
been the want of ambition and force that has given the whites occasion to say, that our natural
abilities are not as good, and our capacities by nature inferior to theirs. They boldly assert, that,
did we possess a natural independence of soul, and feel a love for liberty within our breasts, some
one of our sable race, long before this, would have testified it, notwithstanding the disadvantages
under which we labor. We have made ourselves appear altogether unqualified to speak in our own
defence, and are therefore looked upon as objects of pity and commiseration. We have been
imposed upon, insulted and derided on every side; and now, if we complain, it is considered as the
height of impertinence. We have suffered ourselves to be considered as Bastards, cowards, mean,
faint-hearted wretches;

64

and on this account, (not because of our complexion) many despise us, and would gladly spurn us
from their presence.

These things have fired my soul with a holy indignation, and compelled me thus to come
forward; and endeavor to turn their attention to knowledge and improvement; for knowledge is
power. I would ask, is it blindness of mind, or at stupidity of soul, or the want of education, that
has caused our men who are 60 to 70 years of age, never to let their voices be heard, or nor their
hands be raised in behalf of their color? Or has it been for the fear of offering the whites? If it has,
O ye fearful ones, throw of your fearfulness, and come forth in the name of the Lord, and in the
strength of the God of Justice, and make yourselves useful and active members in society; for they
admire a noble and patriotic spirit in others; and should they not admire it in us? If you are men,
convince them that you possess the spirit of men; and as your day, so shall your strength be. Have
the sons of Africa no souls? feel they no ambitious desires? shall the chains of ignorance forever
confine them? shall the insipid appellation of "clever negroes," or "good creatures," any longer
content them? Where can we find among ourselves the man of science, or a philosopher, or an
able statesman, or a counsellor at law? Show me our fearless and brave, our noble and gallant
ones. Where are our lecturers on natural history, and our critics in useful knowledge? There may
be a few such men among us, but they are rare. It is true, our fathers bled and died in the
revolutionary war, and others fought bravely under the command of Jackson, in defence of liberty.
But where is the man that has distinguished himself in these modern days by acting wholly in the
defence of African rights and liberty? There was one, although he sleeps, his memory lives.

I am sensible that there are many highly intelligent gentlemen of color in those United States,
in

65

the force of whose arguments, doubtless, I should discover my inferiority; but if they are blest
with wit and talent, friends and fortune, why have they not made themselves men of eminence, by
striving to take all the reproach that is cast upon the people of color, and in endeavoring to
alleviate the woes of their brethren in bondage? Talk, without effort, is nothing; you are
abundantly capable, gentlemen, of making yourselves men of distinction; and this gross neglect,
on your part, causes my blood to boil within me. Here is the grand cause which hinders the rise
and progress of the people of color. It is their want of laudable ambition and requisite
courage.

Individuals have been distinguished according to their genius and talents, ever since the first
formation of man, and will continue to be while the world stands. The different grades rise to
honor and respectability as their merits may deserve. History informs us that we sprung from one
of the most learned nations of the whole earth; from the seat, if not the parent of science; yes,
poor, despised Africa was once the resort of sages and legislators of other nations, was esteemed
the school for learning, and the most illustrious men in Greece flocked thither for instruction. But
it was our gross sins and abominations that provoked the Almighty to frown thus heavily upon us,
and give our glory unto others. Sin and prodigality have caused the downfall of nations, kings and
emperors; and were it not that God in wrath remembers mercy; we might indeed despair; but a
promise is left us; "Ethiopia shall again stretch forth her hands unto God."

But it is of no use for us to boast that we sprung from this learned and enlightened nation, for
this day a thick mist of moral gloom hangs over millions of our race. Our condition as a people
has been low for hundreds of years, and it will continue to be so, unless, by true piety and virtue,
we strive to re

66

gain that which we have lost. White Americans, by their prudence, economy and exertions, have
sprung up and become one of the most flourishing nations in the world, distinguished for their
knowledge of the arts and sciences, for their polite literature. While our minds are vacant, and
starving for want of knowledge, theirs are filled to overflowing. Most of our color have been
taught to stand in fear of the white man, from their earliest infancy, to work as soon as they could
walk, and call "master," before they scarce could lisp the name of
mother
. Continual fear
and laborious servitude have in some degree lessened in us that natural force and energy which
belong to man; or else, in defiance of opposition, our men, before this, would have nobly and
boldly contended for their rights. But give the man of color an equal opportunity with the white
from the cradle to manhood, and from manhood to the grave, and you would discover the
dignified statesman, the man of science, and the philosopher. But there is no such opportunity for
the sons of Africa, and I fear that our powerful one's are fully determined that there never shall be.
For bid, ye Powers on high, that it should any longer be said that our men possess no force. O ye
sons of Africa, when will your voices be heard in our legislative halls, in defiance of your enemies,
contending for equal rights and liberty? How can you, when you reflect from what you have
fallen, refrain from crying mightily unto God, to turn away from us the fierceness of his anger, and
remember our transgressions against us no more forever. But a God of infinite purity will not
regard the prayers of those who hold religion in one hand, and prejudice, sin and pollution in the
other; he will not regard the prayers of self-righteousness and hypocrisy. Is it possible, I exclaim,
that for the want of knowledge, we have labored for hundreds of years to support others, and
been content to receive what they chose to give us in return? Cast your eyes about,

67

look as far as you can see; all, all is owned by the lordly white, except here and there a lowly
dwelling which the man of color, midst deprivations, fraud and opposition, has been scarce able to
procure. Like king Solomon, who put neither nail nor hammer to the temple, yet received the
praise; so also have the white Americans gained themselves a name, like the names of the great
men that are in the earth, while in reality we have been their principal foundation and support. We
have pursued the shadow, they have obtained the substance; we have performed the labor they
have received the profits; we have planted the vines, they have eaten the fruits of them.

I would implore our men, and especially our rising youth, to flee from the gambling board and
the dance-hall; for we are poor, and have no money to throw away. I do not consider dancing as
criminal in itself, but it is astonishing to me that our young men are so blind to their own interest
and the future welfare of their children, as to spend their hard earnings for this frivolous
amusement; for it has been carried on among us to such an unbecoming extent, that it has became
absolutely disgusting. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are
deceitful." Had those men among us, who have had an opportunity, turned their attention as
assiduously to mental and moral improvement as they have to gambling and dancing, I might have
remained quietly at home, and they stood contending in my place. These polite accomplishments
will never enroll your names on the bright annals of tune, who admire the belle void of intellectual
knowledge, or applaud the dandy that talks largely on politics, without striving to assist his fellow
in the revolution, when the nerves and muscles of every other man forced him into the field of
action. You have a right to rejoice, and to let your hearts cheer you in the days of your youth; yet
remember that for all these things, God will bring you

68

into judgment. Then, O ye sons of Africa, turn your mind from these perishable objects, and
contend for the cause of God and the rights of man. Form yourselves into temperance societies.
There are temperate men among you; then why will you any longer neglect to strive, by your
example, to suppress vice in all its abhorrent forms? You have been told repeatedly of the glorious
results arising from temperance, and can you bear to see the whites arising in honor and
respectability, without endeavoring to grasp after that honor and respectability also?

But I forbear. Let our money, instead of being thrown away as heretofore, be appropriated
for schools and seminaries of learning for our children and youth. We ought to follow the example
of the whites in this respect. Nothing would raise our respectability, add to our peace and
happiness, and reflect so much honor upon us, as to be ourselves the promoters of temperance,
and the supporters, as far as we are able, of useful and scientific knowledge. The rays of light and
knowledge have been hid from our view; we have been taught to consider ourselves as scarce
superior to the brute creation; and have performed the most laborious part of American drugery.
Had we as a people received, one half the early advantages the whites have received, I would defy
the government of these United States to deprive us any longer of our rights.

I am informed that the agent of the Colonization Society has recently formed an association of
young men, for the purpose of influencing those of us to go to Liberia who may feel disposed.
The colonizationists are blind to their own interest, for should the nations of the earth make war
with America, they would find their forces much weakened by our absence; or should we remain
here, can our "brave soldiers," and "fellow-citizens," as they were termed in time of calamity,
condescend to defend the rights of the whites, and be again deprived of their

69

own, or sent to Liberia in return? Or, if the colonizationists are real friends to Africa, let them
expend the money which they collect, in erecting a college to educate her injured sons in this land
of gospel light and liberty; for it would be most thankfully received on our part, and convince us
of the truth of their professions, and save time, expense and anxiety. Let them place before us
noble objects, worthy of pursuit, and see if we prove ourselves to be those unambitious negroes
they term us. But ah! methinks their hearts are so frozen towards us, they had rather their money
should be sunk in the ocean than to administer it to our relief; and I fear, if they dared, like
Pharaoh, king of Egypt, they would order every male child among us to be drowned. But the
most high God is still as able to subdue the lofty pride of these white Americans, as He was the
heart of that ancient rebel. They say, though we are looked upon as things, yet we sprang from a
scientific people. Had our men the requisite force and energy, they would soon convince them by
their efforts both in public and private, that they were men, or things in the shape of men. Well
may the colonizationists laugh us to scorn for our negligence; well may they cry, "Shame to the
sons of Africa." As the burden of the Israelites was too great for Moses to bear, so also is our
burden too great for Moses to bear, so also is our burden too great for our noble advocate to
bear. You must feel interested, my brethren, in what he undertakes, and hold up his hands by your
good works, or in spite of himself, his soul will become discouraged, and his heart will die within
him; for he has, as it were, the strong bulls of Bashan to contend with.

It is of no use for us to wait any longer for a generation of well educated men to arise. We
have slumbered and slept too long already; the day is far spent; the night of death approaches; and
you have sound sense and good judgement sufficient to begin with, if you feel disposed to make a
right use of it.

70

Let every man of color throughout the United States, who possesses the spirit and principles
of a man, sign a petition to Congress, to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia,'and grant you
the rights and privileges of common free citizens; for if you had had faith as a grain of mustard
seed, long before this the mountains of prejudice might have been removed. We are all sensible
that the Anti-Slavery Society has taken hold of the arm of our whole population, in' order to raise
them out of the mire. Now all we have to do is, by a spirit of virtuous ambition to strive to raise
ourselves; and I am happy to have it in my power thus publicly to say, that the colored inhabitants
of this city, in some respects, are beginning to improve. Had the free people of color in these
United States nobly and boldly contended for their rights, and showed a natural genius and talent,
although not so brilliant as some; had they help up, encouraged and patronized each other,
nothing could have hindered us from being a thriving and flourishing people. There has been a
fault among us. The reason why our distinguished men have not made themselves more influential
is, because they fear that the strong current of opposition through which they must pass, would
cause their downfall and prove their overthrew. And what gives rise to this opposition? Envy.
And what has it amounted to? Nothing. And who are the cause of it? Our whited sepulchers, who
want to be great, and don't know how; who love to be called of men 'Rabbi, Rabbi, who put on
false sanctity, and humble themselves to their brethren, for the sake of acquiring the highest place
in the synagogue, and the uppermost seats at the feast. You, dearly beloved, who are the genuine
followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, the salt of the earth and the light of the world, are not so
culpable. As I told you, in the very first of my writing, I tell you again, I am but as a drop in the
bucket -- as one particle of the small dust of the earth. God will surely raise up those
among us

71

who will plead the cause of virtue, and the pure principles of morality, more eloquently than I am
able to do.

It appears to me that America has become like the great city of Babylon, for she has boasted
in her heart, -- I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow? She is indeed a
seller of slaves and the souls of men; she has made the Africans drunk with the wine of her
fornication; she has put them completely beneath her feet, and she means to keep them there; her
right hand supports the reins of government, and her left hand the wheel of power, and she is
determined not to let go her grasp. But many powerful sons and daughters of Africa will shortly
arise, who will put down vice and immorality among us, and declare by Him that sitteth upon the
throne, that they will have their rights; and if refused,' I am afraid they will spread horror and
devastation around. I believe that the oppression of injured Africa has come up before the Majesty
of Heaven; and when our cries shall have reached the ears of the Most High, it will be a
tremendous day for the people of this land; for strong is the arm of the Lord God Almighty.

Life has almost lost its charms for me; death has lost its sting and the grave its terrors; and at
times I have a strong desire to depart and dwell with Christ, which is far better. Let me entreat my
white brethren to awake and save our sons from dissipation, and our daughters from ruin. Lend
the hand of assistance to feeble merit, plead the cause of virtue among our sable race; so shall our
curses upon you be turned into blessings; and though you should endeavor to drive us from these
shores, still we will cling to you the more firmly; nor will we attempt to rise above you: we will
presume to be called your equals only.

The unfriendly whites first drove the native American from his much loved home. Then they
stole our fathers from their peaceful and quiet dwellings,

72

and brought them hither, and made bond-men and bond-women of them and their little ones; they
have obliged our brethren to labor, kept them in utter ignorance, nourished them in vice, and
raised them in degradation; and now that we have enriched their soil, and filled their coffers, they
say that we are not capable of becoming like white men, and that we never can rise to
respectability in this country. They would drive us to a strange land. But before I go, the bayonet
shall pierce me through. African rights and liberty is a subject that ought to fire the breast of every
free man of color in these United States, and excite in his bosom a lively, deep, decided and
heart-felt interest.